Il Violino was established in 1993 by the Mariani family. They are from Villa Santa Maria, a little town in the heart of Italy (Abruzzo) known as La Patria Dei Cuochi (chefs from this town have been executives at the Vatican, The White House, embassies and top restaurants and cruise lines around the world). Il Violino has been one of the original Lincoln Center Italian restaurants and, in these days, one of the few still in operation.

The Chef Vincenzo Mariani, formerly the executive chef at Monsignore (one of the top restaurants in New York City in the 70's and 80's) leaded the kitchen with his international experience and created an original and innovative Italian menu.

In 2009 the owner decided to write a new page. The restaurant has been renovated and transformed into a Trattoria: a warmer and cozier ambiance, one of those that you can easily find in any small town in Italy